Edification
Within the deranged mindset of one beset
with woes and worries would we find the host of our
discourse, locked within the torment of an ill begotten
nightmare. Pressing himself to the limitations of his psyche
in search of some irreverent climax to the series of events
set before him.
A tempest of horrendous horror had
beleaguered upon the living consciousness of one named Sean
Barker. Intent on somehow manipulating the preverbal strings
of tangent perception innate to the Guyver present within
him. It defiled him, beckoning him towards its veracious
lust. Persuaded by fear, if nothing else, Sean would answer
its call, charging forward only to see it besieged upon a
mountain top. Its arcane form somehow clouded from the
visual spectrum, blurred by the very rage that fueled his
persistence towards its defeat.
The figure lurched towards him, as though
to initiate some form of conflict. Unnoticed though, for
within the midst of its assent, time itself seemed to
unravel and warp, as though a figurative blinking of the
eyes had forced a series of actions to revert… the figure
grew, disproportionately to its surroundings. Sean was
forced within a submissive role, retracting from a past held
position to find himself nearly floundering upon some
dreamscape induced ledge.
He awoke…
It had
been a week since the incursion upon the Grakken vessel,
since Cori was rescued, and the twins were sent spiraling
into the heart of the sun. Things had seemed to come to a
stand still at this point. Chronos had backed off, the
Central American forces had made a grand stand in the
attempt to free
Texas,
and yet the Guyvers seemed to be in stand still.
Sean hadn’t seen action since the Grakken
incident and was becoming weary of the day to day toils of
civilian life. He was scheduled to meet with General Carter
at 0800 hours. Though this didn’t seem to matter at the
moment, for presently it was 0300 hours and he couldn’t find
it in himself to get a wink of shut eye.
Cori was still recuperating from her
capture and eventual release from the Grakkens. She slept
soundly beside him even through his constant stirring.
Something was bothering him; it had to be the fact that the
Grakkens had caused so much harm in so little time, and had
yet to create a very large causality list for the Anti
Chronos Task Force. Questioning the motives of his superior
officers was out of the question, but questioning the
actions of an alien race was something else.
Sean sat
up from bed, glanced over at the clock then shook his head.
The clock read
3:43,
which of course had to be A.M. considering Cori and him had
climbed into bed about five hours ago. He shrugged the
sheets off and proceeded to a large window in his quarters.
He prodded at the mini blinds, poking a hole with an
extended digit.
The red armors were on portal as always.
Their metallic forms lumbering around the base aided by a
platoon of blue types. Even the lowly soldiers had something
to do. Why would General Carter keep the Guyvers on hiatus
for so long? The question boggled him, but he forced himself
back into bed. Though sleep still evaded him, he merely
stared blankly at the ceiling, and imagined times before
Chronos, before the ACTF, and before he ever found that damn
thing they called a Guyver.
***
Cori awoke to Sean yet again lingering by
the window seal. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and
proceeded to stretch, allowing an exasperated yawn to
resonate from her being. Sean shifted within placement,
swiveling his head back as though to greet her.
“Morning Cori.” he said, itching his bare
chest as Cori pushed away the sheets from her legs.
“Sleep well, love-a-dove?” Cori
questioned as she climbed out of bed.
Sean merely shook his head and turned
back to the window. The lithe, and wondrously beautiful,
form of Cori would slink up behind her love’s form, wrapping
her arms around him and placing her chin against his
shoulder. “You haven’t been sleeping well since we got back
from that damned Grakken ship…” Cori said with a hint of
somnolent exhaustion in her words.
Sean merely shook his head again, not
even bothering to give a verbal response in this case, his
eyes still fixated on the going-ons around the base. Cori
hesitated for a moment before departing from his form and
slinking back off to the bed. Her body sprawled out across
the covers stomach first prior to turning onto its backside.
She lifted her head lightly and patted the partially removed
covers. “Come back to bed love. I think you could really use
some “cuddle” time.”
Sean smirked, turning to face her before
replying. “I can’t right now babe; I have a meeting with
General Carter at 0800 hours. He said we had something
important to discuss, though he wouldn’t let on beyond
that.”
“That old worry wart, you should just
tell him to go fuck himself, and give me the lovin’ I
deserve.” Cori demanded as she pulled the covers over
herself and snuggled into a more comfortable position.
“Now you know I can’t do that. I have
responsibilities; you know, those things that people are
required to do in life in order to make the world a better
place?” Sean replied sarcastically as he lunged into bed and
crawled over Cori’s frame, lingering over her as to look
steadily into her eyes.
She smiled and looked up to him, wrapping
her arms around his neck as to pull him close to her for a
simple kiss. Sean smiled and leapt out of bed, grabbing a
few choice articles of clothing and tossing them onto the
bed. He began to ready himself for the events to follow as
Cori stared on longingly from the bed.
“You know, you could just walk in there
all naked, I’m sure Carter wouldn’t mind, and besides, you
would be giving the female personal on base a nice little
piece of eye candy…” sarcastically Cori doted.
“You know, you could just walk around
with a cucumber hanging out of your…” Sean trailed off as a
series of beeps was emitted from the com systems. Sean’s
eyes shifted to a key pad on the right side of the door, its
numeric instruments beckoning him over to its call. A bright
flashing red light pressing illumination upon his pale skin,
as his fingers felt for the button on the damn thing that
allowed him to engage whoever the hell was messaging him at
such an hour.
“Yes?” Sean questioned in a rather
stern tone, leaning in close to the microphone even though
its sensitively allowed for communication at a much farther
proximity to the device. “You know, you don’t have to yell
Sir.” An agitated female voice would reply from within the
com system.
“Sorry Noreen, just not used to
getting calls this early in the morning. What’s up?” Sean
apologized, anticipating further banter. “Oh nothing special
darlin’, General Carter was just curious as to why you’re
late for your appointment is all.” baffled Sean was taken
back for a moment, clearing his voice before continuing.
“What do you mean late? We’re not scheduled until 0800
hours.” The mysterious voice paused for a moment as though
contemplating how to reply. “I do believe you’re mistaken
dear, the appointment was for 0730, and you’re 10 minutes
late already.”
“Shit.” Sean muttered, leaning into the
com even closer now, both hands braced against the wall.
“Tell him I’ll be with him in due haste, and to please
excuse my tardiness.” Sean said shaking his head as he
closed the com channel and turned to face Cori, still
shaking his head in embarrassment. “Seems time has grown
even shorter for us two.” Cori just smiled and shifted in
the bed, turning on her side before muttering something
about the fact that he was always late.
***
It was a
peaceful day, as peaceful as one could be when territories
of the
United
States
were under direct control of Chronos. Sean raced down the
corridors of the base trying to make up for lost time. He
couldn’t quite explain how he had misplaced the information
pertaining to his tardiness, but at least he was on the
right track now.
Within the composure of a light jog he
made his way to General Carters office, unaware of the
actions that were to conspire on this day. For even as he
neared his destination, other forces were at work which
would alter his perception of the world as he knew it.
Upon reaching his destination Sean paused
for a moment, address his attire and straightening his hair
in the reflection in a near by window. Already he was twenty
minutes late. In his hurried state he had neglected certain
aspects of his appearance, which had become evident upon
further inspection.
“Damnit…
Damnit… Damnit… Knew I should have gotten ready at least a
little earlier.” Sean muttered as he adjusted his tie with
both hands, peeking around the corner at some scattered
personal, already far into their daily routine.
This regiment of formal dress was not
exactly Sean’s favorite aspect of military life, but one he
had become accustomed to in these last few years. His
previous turmoil seemed to elevated for the time being, as
the only thing stuck within his mind was what the hell had
Carter called him here for today.
His hand outstretched, treading lightly
over the structure of the door, as though to hesitate for a
moment before proceeding. He allowed it to bash against the
structure three times before awaiting a response. “Come in.”
a roughened tone would declare. Uneasily Sean pressed the
door aside and stepped into to an eerily darkened room.
General Carter sat behind his desk as always, apparently
reading over the days events upon digital touch pad.
The old man’s eyes shifted for a moment
as he lifted his head to observe Sean’s appearance. The
stern grimace upon his lips was something everyone got used
to. In all the years that Sean had known the man, not once
had he seen him smile. Today wasn’t any different. Carter
obviously had something on his mind, something that Sean was
soon to learn of.
“Sit down.” General Carter said as he
motioned to one of three chairs sitting in front of his
desk. Sean nodded and proceeded to sit in the middle chair,
shifting here and there in an attempt to make him self
comfortable, though the situation had made this a very
uneasily undertaken procedure.
Carter returned to the information within
hand before clearing his voice and setting the touch pad
down before him. His eyes would seem somewhat distressed
before the emotion fell from them and the stern grimace
returned to its rightful place. “It has come to my attention
that the FBI still holds priority over your position within
the ACTF.” Carter announced his gaze just now meeting up
with Sean.
Carter would hesitate for a moment before
continuing, “The FBI has found it in itself to split away
from the main core of the ACFT as of late. Seems the higher
ups think it prudent that we have some separation within the
armed and civilian forces…” spoke General Carter, his brows
ever tense and within the formation of that awkward
contortion.
Sean still seemed a little antsy at this
point, leaning forward his mouth slightly agape as his
fingers toiled amongst themselves, attempting to calm his
nerves. In a raspy voice he would reply “Sir?” questioning
the words just spoken by Carter. “You heard me Barker. The
FBI still says you’re under them, and I don’t quite like the
idea that one of “my” soldiers is being ordered around by
feds; who’s only right is to investigate murders and
kidnappings.” Carter proclaimed with an heir of authority.
“Sir, I am aware of my position with the
Bureau; and though I don’t mean to question your actions, I
am curious as to why this has any bearing on why I have been
called here.” Sean questioned still sensing his own
inability to stand up against this man.
Carter merely shook his head, standing
up from his chair and pacing to a far window. He peered
through the blinds as though trying to avoid direct conflict
with the guyver. He nodded lightly and turned back in the
direction of Sean before continuing. “I want to make you a
member of the military Barker, I want you to be a full time
member of the Armed forces of these great
United
States.”
It was as though the General was trying to convince Sean to
submit his life to the cause, but hadn’t he already done
that? As far as recruiters go, it was strange that Carter
hadn’t merely gone over his head an enacted these actions
upon his own accord.
“General Carter; Sir, its not that I
don’t appreciate the sentiment, I’m just curious as to why
you didn’t talk the Bureau into this yourself. I mean, you
are the commanding officer of the ACTF, which should give
you some leverage, right?” Sean questioned, leaning ever
forward in his chair, as he stared at the dim
representations of a shadow that made up General Carter at
this point.
Carter would step forward, into the only
beads of light that resonated into his office. His hands
dashing against the surface of his desk, as the rest of his
form leaned into this stance. His eyes brilliant blue, and
seemed as though the blackest of coals when they stared
daringly into Sean’s eyes. That same perpetual grimace
locked upon his lips as he spouted off his next limerick. “I
want this decision to be yours and yours alone Barker. No
need for the feds to get involved in such a personal matter,
this decision is for you unaccompanied to make.”
Sean thought for a moment, leaning back
into the chair, not enough to offset it from its leveled
rapture, but rather just enough to set his back neatly into
its structure. “This is something I’ll have to think over
rather deeply Sir, I will get back to you as soon as is
possible.” Sean said as he lifted himself from the chair and
stood to his feet, contemplating the words just spoken by
one of the most powerful men in the world.
Carter nodded lightly, standing to his
full height before addressing Sean yet again. “I hope you
would take this into great consideration Barker. Do not make
this choice lightly.” He paused for a moment, staring down
Sean and somewhat expecting something from the young man.
“You are dismissed Barker” Carter commanded.
Sean turned lightly within step, looking
at the door and then back to General Carter. He smirked
slightly before merely saying, “Yes sir.” as he made his way
out of the office.
***
Someplace within a distant expanse of
the “Terran” solar system a prototype Grakken war ship would
be slowing from faster than light travel and coming to all
but a stand still off of one of Jupiter’s many moons. It’s
massive girth almost casting a shadow a quarter of the size
of the object it sought to orbit, though within this vessel
the grandeur of its form seemed moot to those who lived upon
it.
A crew of nearly 400 Grakkens made
this vessel their home, and would die to defend it. Their
Captain was something of a hero to the Grakkens, a General
in his own right, leading them to countless victories
against the Creator Empire, and those nasty hordes of
Kavzars that seemed to increase in number with each coming
battle. On this day though the crew of the Grakken ship was
not out for blood, instead their mission was one of
exploration.
Within the bridge of the ship is where
this mythical figure known as G’thok dwelled at the present
time. Sitting within a massive chamber that somewhat
resembled a chair. Its bio-mechanics parts interlaced with
less advanced structures of metallics and crystalline arches
that seemed to seep into the organic fibers as though a
symbiotic relationship existed between the two. The
structure interlaced with shimmering appendages that
branched out and around the fixated center point.
Other areas around the bridge held the
same formations of structure, as though the ship was a
mixture of Grakken technology and that of the dreaded
creators. Even though this race hated the Creators it
appeared as though they had integrated concepts of the
advents technological wizardry into their own machinery.
G’thok
would motion to another fully armored Grakken sitting at a
command council on a lower deck, as though to beckon him to
his side. From nearly 500 meters away this beast stepped
forward, floating from lower deck up to meet the Captain.
The 8 foot tall crimson creature bowed within the presence
of his superior officer and awaited further instruction.
“At ease soldier; what is our
estimated time of arrival at the destination?” G’Thok asked
within his native tongue, awaiting a response from the now
standing ruby combatant. The massive pugilist vacillated for
a moment before responding verbally “Estimated time of
arrival is emanate, we should be reaching the Terran world
within a 1/64th of a Terran rotation.”
“Excellent, see that the molecular
relocater is in order and operational; we wouldn’t want this
nice new toy of the Grakken Empire to malfunction just when
we need it most.” G’thok said as he reclined further into
the bio-organic formation of his chair. Three olive tinted
vines came down to meet him, wrapping about his form as two
other extended and interacted with the Captain’s control
medallion. It separated upon interface, segmenting into
three parts as a brilliant light would emanate from the core
of these two organic structures.
The red giant nodded then gave a gentle
bow before lifting himself into the air and sinking to the
floor below. He too would reposition himself within the
“pod” like structure of the navigational system, allowing
various organics to interact directly with his Creator armor.
Several other Grakkens toiled about him,
interacting with crystalline structures via their control
medallions; it was as though this entire crew had accepted
this new form of technology with open arms, against the
general consensus of the Grakken race.
***